World leaders are set to meet on Monday (October 13) in Egypt’s resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh for a landmark peace summit aimed at ending the two-year Gaza conflict and restoring stability in the Middle East. The conference, co-chaired by U.S. President Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, will host leaders from over 20 nations, including the UN Secretary-General António Guterres, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, and French President Emmanuel Macron. The summit seeks to consolidate efforts for a permanent ceasefire, regional peace, and a new era of cooperation. While Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas representatives are yet to confirm attendance, the meeting comes amid a fragile ceasefire that has prompted displaced Gazans to return home after massive destruction. The initiative follows Trump’s recent 20-point peace plan unveiled in Washington.

In a move highlighting political pragmatism over principle, India’s Hindu nationalist government has faced severe criticism after Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s visit to New Delhi. Once condemning the Taliban for its brutal record on women’s rights, India now appears to have softened its stance to counter Pakistan’s influence in the region. The controversy erupted when female journalists were denied entry to a press conference hosted by the Afghan Embassy, despite following dress codes. India’s Foreign Ministry quickly distanced itself, claiming no involvement in the event’s organization. Opposition leaders, including Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi, accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of hypocrisy and failing to defend women’s dignity in a democratic country. The incident comes amid Taliban-imposed restrictions on Afghan women’s education and employment, deepening outrage over India’s silence. Analysts view this episode as a troubling reflection of India’s shifting foreign policy priorities.

Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, has praised Chinese-made military platforms used during the May conflict with India, calling them “exceptionally effective.” In an interview last week, he said modern Chinese systems such as the J-10C fighter jets performed outstandingly, helping Pakistan achieve strategic success. Pakistani media reported that the country claims to have downed seven Indian aircraft, an increase from earlier figures. India, however, disputes this, asserting it destroyed around a dozen Pakistani jets. Chaudhry dismissed Indian claims, emphasizing that no Pakistani aircraft were lost. He also stressed that Pakistan purchases both Chinese and Western equipment, prioritizing efficiency and cost-effectiveness over competition. The comments come amid growing regional attention on Pakistan’s deepening defense ties with China, further reinforced by President Asif Ali Zardari’s recent visit to Chengdu, where Chinese J-10 fighters are manufactured.

A new report from Brown University’s Cost of War Project reveals that the United States has spent nearly $34 billion on military operations and aid in the Middle East over the past two years. Of this, Israel alone has received more than $21 billion in support—fueling its continued offensives in Gaza, Yemen, and tensions with Iran. Analysts argue that without U.S. funding, weapons, and political backing, Israel could not sustain prolonged conflicts across multiple fronts. The report, titled “U.S. Military Aid and Arms Transfers to Israel, October 2023–September 2025,” underscores Washington’s central role in the region’s instability. Critics in the U.S. note growing frustration among taxpayers, who bear the cost of these wars. Meanwhile, public opinion among American Jews is shifting, with many acknowledging Israel’s actions in Gaza as war crimes. Experts warn this support may reshape U.S. politics ahead of the 2028 elections.

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif issued a warning, saying “this time, God willing, India will be buried under the wreckage of its own jets,” in response to recent provocative remarks by Indian military and political leaders.

His comments echoed social-media claims and past May clashes in which each side has traded accusations about downed aircraft, deepening mistrust between New Delhi and Islamabad.

The military’s Inter-Services Public Relations office cautioned that inflammatory statements could be used as a pretext for aggression and warned that renewed hostilities might bring catastrophic destruction to South Asia.

Asif framed Pakistan as a state built in Allah’s name and described its defenders as ‘soldiers of Allah’, language that analysts say raises the stakes of rhetoric and complicates diplomatic de-escalation. Both sides’ recent public exchanges — including unverified claims about losses and threats to alter borders — have renewed fears of miscalculation; international observers urge restraint and independent verification to avoid an irreversible spiral.

Pakistan has reportedly approached the United States with a proposal to build and operate a port along the Arabian Sea, signaling a potential shift in regional geopolitics. According to the Financial Times report published on October 3, advisers to Pakistan’s army chief, General Asim Munir, have initiated discussions with U.S. officials regarding the project. The plan involves U.S. investors constructing and managing a terminal in Pasni, a coastal town in Balochistan’s Gwadar district, neighboring Afghanistan and Iran. This move could grant Washington strategic access to one of the world’s most sensitive regions while enabling American firms to explore Pakistan’s rich mineral reserves. If realized, the project may influence both U.S.-China competition in the region and Pakistan’s economic alignment, as Pasni lies close to the Chinese-funded Gwadar port, a key component of the Belt and Road Initiative.

A detailed investigation alleges a large-scale operation producing near-perfect counterfeit Bangladeshi notes abroad and smuggling them into the country via an organized chain linking dealers, retail vendors and fugitive political figures. Sources claim a neighbouring state’s intelligence service and foreign-made machinery and components supply counterfeit currency, with documentary-quality paper matching Bangladesh notes. Social media platforms and secret groups are used to advertise and sell fake notes, offering bulk discounts and deceptive guarantees to build trust. Law enforcement reacted after a viral exposé by a Qatar-based journalist, and Bangladesh Bank described the allegation—if true—as deeply alarming, urging stronger police action and public vigilance. Officials suggest insider knowledge from former mint designers and politically-aligned staff may have aided the operation. Authorities are investigating networks, tightening monitoring, and warning citizens against suspicious online offers and secret-group solicitations, even money-back guarantees to buyers regularly.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has pledged to raise defence spending to 2% of GDP this fiscal year—five years ahead of schedule—to reduce Canada’s reliance on the US for defence. Warning of threats from Russia and China, Carney stressed that Canada must prioritize domestic production and diversify military procurement. The move comes ahead of the G7 and Nato summits, with defence a top agenda. Carney also criticized America’s growing protectionism and dominance over key military assets like the F-35 fighter jets.

China has imposed counter-sanctions on six US Congress members, officials, and NGO heads in retaliation for Washington’s recent sanctions against Chinese and Hong Kong officials over alleged suppression of pro-democracy activists. The Chinese Foreign Ministry condemned the US actions as interference and warned of stronger retaliation if such policies continue. The original US sanctions targeted those accused of using Hong Kong’s national security law to silence dissent. The geopolitical standoff also intensified through a tit-for-tat tariff escalation.

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will take over Greenland by any means necessary, citing national and international security concerns. Speaking before Congress, he emphasized the island’s strategic importance and mineral wealth. Trump assured Greenland’s people of their right to self-determination and welcomed them to join the U.S. However, both Denmark and Greenland have rejected any sale, maintaining Danish sovereignty. A recent survey found that 85% of Greenland’s population opposes integration with the United States.

After U.S. President Donald Trump scolded Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office, European leaders quickly rallied behind him. Following the incident, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosted a summit with European leaders, including Zelensky, to discuss plans for ending the war in Ukraine. The summit resulted in a four-point agenda, focusing on military aid, maintaining pressure on Russia, and ensuring Ukraine’s presence in peace talks. The UK also pledged $200 million in military support for Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded to US pressure, stating that removing him from office will not be easy, given the current situation and international support. He reiterated that he is willing to resign if Ukraine is granted NATO membership. Following a heated meeting with US President Donald Trump, Republicans suggested Zelensky may need to step down to resolve the Ukraine-Russia conflict. However, Zelensky insists his mission will be complete only when NATO membership is secured for Ukraine.

Nobel laureate economist Amartya Sen praised Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh’s Interim Government, calling him highly competent and expressing full confidence in his abilities. In an interview with PTI at his Santiniketan residence, Sen described Yunus as an extraordinary person and an old friend. He warned against banning the Awami League, stating that it would repeat past mistakes. While concerned about Bangladesh’s political situation, Sen remains hopeful for a freer and fairer election and believes Yunus faces significant challenges ahead.

Under mounting criticism and opposition from the Arab world, U.S. President Donald Trump has hinted at backing away from his plan to occupy Gaza. His initial proposal, which included pressuring Egypt and Jordan to accept displaced Palestinians, sparked global backlash. In a Fox News Radio interview, Trump acknowledged rejection from Jordan and Egypt, calling forced displacement unjust. On the same day, Arab leaders met in Riyadh to discuss Gaza’s post-war reconstruction, seen as a counter to Trump’s plan.

President Trump alleged that $29 million from USAID, intended to bolster Bangladesh’s political landscape, was given to an obscure entity with just two staff members. Speaking at a governors’ event on February 21, 2025, he criticized the lack of transparency. The program has been canceled under the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk. Trump also mentioned a $21 million India project, sparking controversy. Both initiatives are among 17 aid programs axed to cut U.S. federal spending.